The effect of music on pain sensitivity in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous work suggests mediating effects of music on acute pain processing. This quasi-experimental pilot study examined the effects of music on experimental pain sensitivity.

METHODS: Healthy adults ( = 40) completed quantitative sensory tests during three music conditions (silence, listening, and singing). Repeated Measures ANOVA , Friedman's Test, and post hoc comparisons determined differences in pain intensity and time to cold pain threshold and tolerance between conditions.. Pearson partial correlations evaluated the association of musical factorswith pain sensitivity.

RESULTS: Participants demonstrated longer time intervals until perceiving pain and tolerated pain for longer durations when singing compared to listening. Greater self-reported singing proficiency was associated with higher tolerance. Several musical factors were significantly correlated with time from pain threshold to reaching tolerance.

CONCLUSION: Singing during an acute painful stimulus may increase tolerance. Various musical characteristics impact volunteers' central pain responses and singing may be an important adjunct pain management strategy.